The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-10-27

neck had been cleanly cut, as with one
stroke of a razor, and the head held to
the trunk by slender ligam ent.
l thought should go mad. But
something must be done-the assassin
might come at any moment. raised
the body to place it on the bed. made
false step, and the livid head turned
over, swung to and fro for moment
like hideous pendulum, and then, de-
tached from the trunk, fell on the floor
with dull sound. With great diff
Guilty introduced the decapitated trunk
between the sheets. 1 picked up the
head and placed it on the pillow like
that of a sleeping man, and, having
blown out the candle, l slipped under
the bed. 1 did all this mechanically.
without thought of defense or safety:
it was instinct that prompted me, not
intelligence or reflection.
My teeth chartered. Ny hands were
wet with thick moisture. felt as if
1 had gone to bed in charnel-house.
remained there in that awful fear,
minutes, hours, months. years, CEN
turies-I do not know how long. I
lost all idea of time and place. All
was silent From without, the noise OF
the storm and the whistling of the wind
came to me softened and sad, like
means. could not picture to myself
the assassin who was coming-who was
there perhaps. In that state of horror,
could see only little Lizzie, fair, rosy
and frank, with her doll and her great
hat; / could see her sleeping in her
fathers arms; now and then she lightly
raised her eyelids and disclosed her
eyes, which seemed to me to be bold,
implacable, cruel, murderous.
The door opened, but as softly as the
scratching of a mouse. I bit my lips
till the blood came, to keep from crying
out. Now man stepped in with gliding
tread, with infinite precautions tG avoid
touching the furniture. 1t seemed to
me as if / could see the cruel clutching
fingers gliding over my clothes, search
ing my pockets. Then the steps came
nearer. seemed to Craze me. I felt that
the man was bending over the bed, that
he struck one fierce blow. ThenjI knew
nothing more.
When recovered consciousness, the
room had become silent again. But
fright held me nailed to the spot. AT
length l decided to escape, with what
caution you may imagine. On: tiptoe
gained the door, which had not been
closed. Not sound, not II! breath.
Feeling my way, l passed into the hall.
l waited to see a head thrust suddenly
from out the shadows, knife gleam in
the dark. But no-the brute, glutted
with crime. slept without remorse.
descended the stairs, drew the bolt of the
door. and, half fainting, with che blood
frozen into my veins. l fell into the
gutter of the deserted street.
Doctor Bertram had listened to my
recital with the deepest interest.
"And there 1 found you, ME Furniss
and in what state! Could you recog.
nize the housep"
Yes" Ireplied; "but to what endP
"Well, let me cure you, ane then we
, shall go together to the house of these
assassins."
Eight days later the doctor and
stood in Lower Abbey street. !. | recog
nized the terrible house. Allshe blinds
were drawn; in front of thp door {
placard was placed, bearing the legend
ITO Let"
1 inquired of the former resident
from a neighbor.
, They have been gone % snonth o
more she replied ats great pity
for they were very nice lssople. y
Translated for the Argonaut,; from tn
French of Octave Mirbeau.